How To Choose The Best Air Humidifier For Allergy Prevention

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Air humidifiers can be used to improve the quality of the air that your breathe in and to assist in allergy prevention.

Air humidifiers can be separated into two main groups, cool mist or warm mist humidifiers:

- Cool mist air humidifier. A cool mist humidifier blows out a cool mist, which may be better in warmer climates.

- Warm mist air humidifier. A warm mist humidifier is known for blowing out a warmer mist and this works very well in a cooler climate.

In cooler climate areas, an air humidifier can help keep your nasal passages moistened. This makes it easier for the little hairs inside the nose to capture some of the allergens before they enter your body to cause a histamine response. Additionally, at cooler weather temperatures, moisture is naturally taken out of the body, due to the heating system in homes. A humidifier can help put the moisture back into the air, which can prevent your skin from becoming dry and itchy as well.

It is important that you buy the air humidifier suitable for the room size for which it will be used. If you get one that is too powerful enough, you would not be able to reduce your allergy symptoms sufficiently. If you choose one that is too powerful for your room, then you run the risk of adding too much moisture in the air, which could cause mold and bacteria to grow. Hence, it is a good idea to check with the storekeeper on choosing one most appropriate for your needs.

Preventing allergies should be an important part of your arsenal in your fight against allergy symptoms. By learning how to choose the best air humidifier for allergy prevention you will be on your way to decreasing your allergy symptoms.

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Natural Air Filtration Systems That Can Help Fight Allergies

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bamboo palm picture Natural air filtration systems can be found in certain houseplants that can help filter away certain allergens around the house. These plants can be strategically placed around the house. Using houseplants as natural air filtration systems is particularly helpful if you do not have a mold allergy and if you make a diligent effort in cleaning the dust away from the leaves.

peace lily picture A study conducted by NASA and ALCA showed that certain plants can clean and refresh the air. NASA and ALCA spent two years testing 19 common houseplants plants for their ability to remove pollutants from the air. Of the 19 plants they studied, 17 are considered true houseplants, and two, gerbera daisies and chrysanthemums, are more commonly used indoors as seasonal decorations.

It was found that these houseplants filter away pollutants and irritants such as carbon monoxide, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and benzene. Additionally, they emit a substance that reduces mold spores and bacteria.

spider plant picture Apparently, some houseplants are better than others in treating certain chemicals. For example, the following list comprises of houseplants that are great for treating air that has Benzene:

1. English ivy,

2. Gerbera daisies,

3. Pot mums,

4. Peace lily,

5. Bamboo palm, and

6. Mother-in-law’s Tongue

Houseplanss that are great for treating Trichloroethylene include:

1. Peace Lily

2. Gerbera daisy,

3. bamboo palm.

Additionally, NASA found that the bamboo palm, Mother-in-law’s tongue, dracaena warneckei, peace lily, dracaena marginata, golden pathos, and green spider plant worked well for filtering Formaldehyde.

These houseplants can easily be found in most nurseries. Here is the list of recommended houseplants:

1. Philodendron scandens `oxycardium’, heartleaf philodendron

2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron

3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana’, cornstalk dracaena

4. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig

5. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig’, Janet Craig dracaena

6. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii’, Warneck dracaena

7. Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa’, peace lily

8. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron 9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos

9. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen 4. Hedera helix, English ivy

10. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant

11. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm

12. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant

13. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena

striped dracaena picture For an average home of under 2,000 square feet, NASA suggests that having at least fifteen samples of these common houseplants to help remove pollutants and improve air quality. Houseplants should also be grown in six inch containers or larger.